Playa de las Americas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Playa de las Americas over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, for the first few days we’re looking at a flat spell. There’s nothing really worth paddling out for from Tuesday the 25th of August right through to Saturday the 29th – just tiny, weak little dribbles of swell with not enough push to get you into anything fun. It’s a proper quiet start.

Tuesday 25 August – there is a tiny bit of movement early on, with 1ft swell from the SSW, period 11 seconds, but the combined energy is only 72 – that’s weak, mate. The water is sitting at 77°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s comfortable, but the surf just isn’t there. You’d be having a float, not a surf.

Wednesday 26 through Saturday 29 – mostly glassy mornings but with swell dropping to 0.7ft to 1ft and energy values as low as 8. I wouldn’t bother.

Then things start to wake up. Sunday 30 August – the swell picks up just a little, with some longer-period energy showing. The morning has 1ft from SSW at 17 seconds, and combined energy climbs to 126 (moderate) – but it’s still fairly average conditions. The afternoon has similar size with glassy conditions, but still only “ordinary”.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday 31 August is the first real standout. Morning sees 2ft SSW swell with a long 17 second period, and combined energy jumps to 339 – that’s solid moderate energy. Winds are light cross-offshore from the SE, keeping the surface clean. Then Monday afternoon: glassy, calm, with 2ft at 14 seconds, energy 269. This is the best clean window so far.

Tuesday 1 September is the best of the whole outlook. Morning brings 3ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, combined energy 465 – that’s strong. Light cross-off wind from the SE keeps it clean. A long-period groundswell like this is perfect for the reef and rivermouth setup here – the waves will have proper shape and power, with good gaps between sets. The afternoon is just as good, glassy with the same 3ft and 441 energy. If you can get out then, that’s the session.

Wednesday 2 September – still clean in the morning with 3ft SSW at 14 seconds, glassy, energy 276. The afternoon turns a bit cross-shore, but still surfable. After that, things taper off into the second week, with smaller swells and less consistency. Thursday 3 September to Sunday 6 September – you’ll see small clean conditions at times, swells between 1.0ft and 2ft, mostly from NW, but nothing that really fires. Monday 7 September onwards – the energy drops further, and it’s mostly flat or tiny for the rest of the run.

Where to go: The standout is clearly Tuesday 1 September – that’s the pick of the fortnight. Playa de las Americas (beach and reef) will be handling that SSW groundswell beautifully, especially with those light offshore or glassy conditions. The water’s a touch warmer than average, and crowds are likely here (it often gets busy), so get there early. Swell size stays under 5ft, so it’s fine for intermediates as well as advanced. The long period – over 15 seconds – makes this a proper groundswell, and it’s going to wrap in nicely on the reef.

Summary: The first week is dead until Monday 31 August, then Tuesday 1 September is the clear highlight. After that, it fades into small, clean but weak surf. No big waves on the horizon, but that one day is worth circling on the calendar.

Rusty.

Read more